According to the Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG), Montenegrin diaspora sends 380-400 million euro home per year, says director of the Montenegrin Diaspora Administration, Predrag Mitrović.
“We’re also sure the emigrants are sending money to their families using other, private methods. However, Montenegrin diaspora shouldn’t be regarded as a big money provider as it itself possesses knowledge, skills, information and human capital. These all are very significant resources, even more important for our economy in future,” says Mitrović.
In order to use these resources adequately, Montenegro has to put some effort in drafting concrete projects and privileges for diaspora. “Our aim is to have our diaspora here as investors and to make Montenegro attractive to them.”
Mitrović also noted that in the end of February, his authority started issuing the emigrant booklets for all emigrants who are not in a possession of Montenegrin citizenship. “So far, we have received many requests from Turkey, Argentina and other countries of Latin America, as well as from Serbia, Macedonia and Luxembourg. Our database on issued emigrant booklets will serve as a record on this emigrant category,” noted Mitrović.
He also mentioned a novelty introduced in the Law on Cooperation of Montenegro with Diaspora regarding the possibility of co-financing programs and projects organized by emigrants, which means they would be able to apply for them via public announcements.
